face mask

American  

Or facemask

noun

• face masks
  plural

1. Sports. the protective equipment, usually made of steel or plastic, that guards the face, as the steel cage worn by a baseball catcher or the molded plastic covering worn by a hockey goalkeeper.

2. any of various similar devices to shield the face, sometimes attached to or forming part of a helmet, as that worn by workers engaged in a hazardous activity.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• face masks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of face mask

First recorded in 1905–10; face + mask

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

face mask

The “Fearsome White” uniform features a helmet that includes white horns and a white face mask.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

The group of departees includes Bucknor, who has been sidelined since he was struck in the face mask by a foul ball on April 1.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

The doorbell went again and a walking sculpture dressed in an Anne Boleyn-style quilted dress with beaded face mask appeared.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Kim, who appeared in court wearing a white face mask, kept her head lowered as the verdict was announced.

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

I slip down my face mask, and say, “So this is what you meant when you said what slumbers in here”—I touch my chest—“slumbers in here.”

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson